Tethered

This is the time of the year where we celebrate, with anticipation, the coming of Christ. However, everyone’s waiting is not met with glowing lights and tied with a pretty lace and satin bow. The real issues of life do not typically take a recess at Christmas time. But one thing we can be sure of is this: Jesus Christ does not turn a blind eye to His people or the circumstances of our lives. As you read the following poem and perhaps, wrestle with the duality of the hard facts of life and the beautiful hope of our Savior, let us remember to celebrate. We celebrate Emmanuel; God with us, not because life is perfect, but because He is. 

Tethered

By Sharon Hughes

In darkness formed

cells alive

the hormone highs

the bittersweet goodbye

of the body I once knew

we are tethered

My head down to the ground

my breasts

abdomen

energy

no longer my own to control

we are tethered

I feel scared

alone

betrayed

is this a gift or a curse

But the photo shows

you have my nose

blurry reflection it may be 

we are tethered

God! Do you hear me

Can you hold my bitter tears

This is no life for me

or the baby I don’t see

I choose to go

I yearn to be free

I want my own autonomy

How dare that we are tethered

but 

child

me is you

and mine is yours

and choosing “I” means the eyes I’ll never see

we are tethered

I search the pages 

desperate to know

how Mary and the mother of Moses

knew

no matter what life threw

or obstacles came

you provided 

a basket

a manger

a womb

The more I look the more I see

you turned shame on its face

because 

the basket made it

down Pharaoh’s long hallway

where Moses cried

for an end to slavery

Let my people go

You chose Mary 

She chose you

violence and fear at her back

nowhere to go

outcast

she felt her lack

But you, Oh God

Brought Life 

Breath

Hope

To the whole world

Redemption

Salvation

Worship

On Holy ground I stand

I know deep down

kicks and pounds 

we are tethered

to you

God with us-Emmanuel